Re: Overland, I always look at him and think he is holding onto some story that would blow the entire police force into smithereens if it was made public. Just my feeling - we're in the dark.
Would agree G. B.
And thank you Julia for starting this thread. What is happening in Victoria can and has also happened in other forces in Australia.
Was intending to trot out a great treatise but the audience here is small and it is very complex.
I will just make the following points and answer questions if in fact anyone is interested;
The Government on this is out of its depth;
Both Nixon and Overland were outside appointments. This has never happened before in Victoria and was resented from day one. Queensland did it after the Fitzgerald Enquiry, but that Chief Commisioner, Noel Newnham (who I had worked with and knew personally) was undermined and sent packing back to Victoria in 12 months.
The police union and the specialist branches have been exercising a type of functional control over the force for the last 15 years. Or more accurately of late, "white anting".
Nixon and Overland in a very difficult climate broke the back of the big gangsters in Victoria and also rid the Force of several corrupt specialist branches. The latter actions are what raised the ire of the police union in particular.
Overland may well have continued the good work and survivied with support from the Government but the new regime (having been in office less than 12 months) have no real idea at this time.
It will be very interesting to see what unfolds from here.
Overland in my view was an honest policeman who had no favourites and called each shot straight down the line. Some do not like that.
And there are a lot of very capable and honest members at Commissioner level still in place. I just hope the enquiry underway and the Government can get to the heart of it all.
And this is for treasonist Mullett for having the cheek to show his face on the tellie tonight